November 15, 2010Presenter: Malinda Todd and

Arlene Childers

NC REALNC REAL

REAL Entrepreneurship is an entrepreneurship education program that helps youth and adults grow through hands-on entrepreneurship education.

REAL teaches individuals entrepreneurial and business skills that help build community and economic development.

Application Experience

Expansion Reflection

Experiential Learning CycleExperiential Learning Cycle

“Tell me, and I forget,Show me, and I remember,

Involve me, and I understand.”

Who is the target market for you business?

What marketing strategies will you use to reach your market?

Funded by N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Includes counties in the northeastern NC

that are historically tobacco dependent Regional partner is Upper Coastal Plain

Council of Government Education partners are Wilson,

Edgecombe, Nash, Halifax and Martin Community Colleges

Outreach partners include the Cooperative Extension Agencies for the region

Develop REAL Ag-Entrepreneurship Course Train REAL facilitators in the Ag-

Entrepreneurship Course Recruit current and aspiring farmers to

take part in the course Teach and support farmers in business

planning and entrepreneurship Follow-up with farmers to evaluate progess

Created an advisory team of experts in agriculture and entrepreneurship education

Worked with team to select which areas needed specialized curriculum

Worked with team to collect reliable, well-regarded resources

REAL facilitators and staff developed curriculum with advice of team

Curriculum tested in Spring of 2010

Met with Cooperative Extension Agents in the region to present the project and solicit advice

Provided reports to regional Entrepreneurial Network

Met with Community College Small Business Center Directors to set up courses through the colleges

Small Business Centers also helped promote the program and provide support to students

Worked with Cooperative Extension to hold Ag-Entrepreneurship Expos throughout the region

Marketed through Farmers Market networks

Held Expos to provide information about small business resources, marketing advice and provided a preview for 8-week course

Provided scholarships for tobacco affected farmers

9 Units including entrepreneurial assessment, feasibility, financials, marketing, operations, and the overall business plan

Some activities were adapted from the REAL Curriculum

All new activities were developed for site feasibility, marketing, financials– including enterprise budgets

Developed to be a 24-30 hour course, but activities could be incorporate into a longer course

Trained 46 REAL Facilitators across the state, 9 in Upper Coastal Plain Region

78 Individuals attended Ag-Entrepreneurship Expos

18 Individuals participated in 8-week business planning course

At least three 8-week courses are planned for the winter 2010-2011 in the region

Secured funding from Appalachian Regional Commission to expand to Western NC

Foothills Connect Business and Technology Center on the other end of the state is replicating their program connecting farmers to restaurants. They plan to use the REAL program for their participants

Rural Advancement Foundation International provides support and grants to farmers throughout the state. They will now encourage their clients to attend classes in their areas.

Local restaurateur is encouraging his suppliers to attend the class

Expos worked, but not enough

Farmers Markets Libraries Farm Bureau Farm Credit Churches Health clinics Farming Supply Stores Auctions MORE!

Connected students to Community Colleges’ Small Business Centers and other college resources

Used curriculum advisory board to create a list of recommended materials and tools– helped deal with information overload

Encouraged every class to bring in an expert speaker that is relevant to the class

When possible, connected students to local markets

Held Expos at the Cooperative Extension Offices and the Farmers’ Markets

Carried out sample activity at the Expos to introduce the class

Carried out communication by mail and phone—did not assume internet capabilities

Brought in local speakers

With help of advisory team, adapted current activities to have farm examples

Developed new activities to fit the special needs of farm businesses– especially financials and marketing

Focused on making all activities experiential and non-intimidating

Sample REAL Activity: Selling at the Farmers’ Market

Look for as many partners as possible, sometimes in unlikely placesRecruitment, Recruitment, RecruitmentConnect Students to ResourcesCreate a welcoming, non-intimidating program through careful choice of location, curriculum, activities and speakersCreate activities that are relevant and fun

Arlene ChildersAssistant DirectorNC REAL Enterprises4168 Oak Hollow Dr.Morganton, NC

28655 phone: 919-491-7572 arlene@ncreal.org

Malinda ToddAssociate DirectorNC REAL Enterprises3739 National Dr.,

Suite 110Raleigh, NC 27612Phone: 919-781-6833

x126malinda@ncreal.org